Markus Niemelainen poses for a portrait after being selected 63rd overall by the Edmonton Oilers during the 2016 NHL Draft on June 25, 2016 in Buffalo, N.Y.Jeffrey T. Barnes /
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The Edmonton Oilers’ 2016 third-round draft pick, 19-year-old defenceman Markus Niemelainen, is headed back to Europe to play in the Finnish Elite League (HPK Hameenlinna) this coming season rather than return to the junior Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.

Niemelainen is one of Oilers’ best prospects, but he struggled last season and hasn’t yet been signed to an entry-level deal.

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